Valmiki Ramayana 2.35.8 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 8

सुमन्त्रस्य कैकेयी-निन्दा

Sumantra’s Reproof of Kaikeyi in the Royal Assembly

Devanagari script

मावमंस्था दशरथं भर्तारं वरदं पतिम्। भर्तुरिच्छा हि नारीणां पुत्रकोट्या विशिष्यते।।2.35.8।।

Transliteration

mā vamaṃsthā daśarathaṃ bhartāraṃ varadaṃ patim | bhartur icchā hi nārīṇāṃ putra-koṭyā viśiṣyate ||2.35.8||

Translation

Не презирай Дашаратху — твоего мужа, твоего кормильца, дарующего милости; ибо среди женщин говорится, что воля мужа превосходит даже десять миллионов сыновей.

Word by Word

• यथा: according as
• यथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण/सम्बन्धबोधक अव्यय (according as)

• अवयः: age
• अवयः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘age/period of life’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात

• राज्यानि: kingdoms
• राज्यानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• प्राप्नुवन्ति: obtain
• प्राप्नुवन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• नृपक्षये: at the king's death
• नृपक्षये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप + क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण/locative), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नृपस्य क्षयः)

• इक्ष्वाकुकुलनाथे: in the lord of Ikshvaku line (Rama)
• इक्ष्वाकुकुलनाथे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इक्ष्वाकु + कुल + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (इक्ष्वाकुकुलस्य नाथः)

• अस्मिन्: in this
• अस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• तत्: that (order/arrangement)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• लोपयितुम्: to destroy/abolish
• लोपयितुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लुप् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); णिच्-प्रयोग (causative) ‘to cause to disappear/break’

• इच्छसि: you wish
• इच्छसि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

King Dasaratha is invincible like Indra, unshakeable like a mountain and unperturbable like the ocean. By causing grief to him through your action I feel you are killing your husband (inch by inch). I think you are ultimately destroying your own race.

Characters & Entities

• Sumantra
• Kaikeyi
• Dasaratha

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It asserts the primacy of honoring one’s marital and household obligations, treating contempt toward a righteous spouse as a breach of dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra admonishes Kaikeyi not to scorn Dasaratha and appeals to traditional ideals of wifely duty and respect.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dasaratha’s role as protector and benefactor (giver of boons) is emphasized, portraying him as deserving reverence rather than disdain.